pregnancy - eco baby showers:

Baby Showers are back and they've gone green!

Here are some tips for throwing your eco-baby shower:

Gifts:

If you want to be really eco-friendly, keep gifts to a minimum and focus on the celebration... suggest to guests they only bring one small item which is used to play the games below, then given to the mum-to-be.

If you would like gifts (particularly if this is your first child). Let your guests know that your shower has an eco-friendly theme and make sure you have a list so you get the organic/eco-friendly items that you really want.

Make it easy for your family and friends by planning your list using our New Zealand or US directory and Gift Gallery.

• Browse our:
  US Gift Gallery or NZ Gift Gallery

• For a practical checklist, check out our Suggested Layette.

• Give your baby shower an eco-flavour by including suggestions for help ie cooked meal, grocery shopping etc. You might also like to suggest that you are happy to receive recycled gifts (that friends' children have outgrown!).
  
  

• Reusable Gift baskets! Instead of a Gift basket, why not put it all together in a "Nappy Bag" like this one from Ecobots.
  
  or Jute Shopping Bag only $6.00 from Organic Baby.
  
  Cloth nappies, organic muslins or baby blankets also make great wrapping paper!

Diaper/Nappy Cakes:

Diaper cakes are very popular in the US. You can build you one by using very simple instructions online.

We recommend you use eco-disposables or prefold nappies (check out our US Diapers or NZ Nappy Retailers online).

Other cloth diapers can be used but work out to be fairly expensive for a whole cake!!!

Invitations and Thank You Cards:

• Electronic - Send out electronic invitations to save paper.
  
• Recycled - Alternatively, use recycled paper invitations and thank you cards.

Tableware:

• Napkins - Use washable napkins or recycled paper towels.
  
  
• Utensils, Plates, and Cups -  Use washable plates, and cups. Or provide recycled paper plates and cups and disposable utensils made from corn starch that compost in about half a year and biodegrade in a year and a half.
  
• In NZ, Potato Pak plates are available from Moore Wilson's and most good organic stores.

Food and Beverages:

• Healthy and Organic - Serve as much organic, local, and in-season food as you can. It's better for the planet and your guests.
• If you have wine at the shower, opt for organic.

Decorations:

• Use natural materials to decorate. 
  Tables centrepieces can be a simple arrangements of flowers or small potted plants that guests can take home (www.ecoseeds.co.nz).
  
  Vases containing natural stones, or fruit or soy candles also make great centrepieces.

• Balloon Free - Don't use balloons, which are fun but often end up in the ocean where they are frequently consumed by sea life. Animals such as sea turtles often die from balloons blocking their digestive systems.
  
  Flags made from fabric scraps make a good alternative, and the baby's name can be added (after the birth) so that it becomes a birthday banner and keepsake! 

Activities/Games:

• Keepsake Tshirt or Bodysuit
  Take a organic tshirt or bodysuit and get all the guests to sign their name with fabric pens. Great keepsake for the mum-to-be. Tshirt and pens - $39 from Organic Baby. Buy Now
  .
  
• Baby Memory Game
  Each guest brings a small baby item which is put onto a tray and covered with a teatowel or baby blanket. Uncover for a minute for guests to memorise. Then cover, and the guests have to write down as many of the items as they can remember! The tray of baby items can be given to the Mum-to-be at the end.
  
  
• Diapers in the Dark
  Each guest is blindfolded and then has to put a cloth nappy/diaper on a toy doll – the best time wins! The Cloth nappy/diaper can be given to the Mum-to-be at the end.
  

Party Favours:

Often hosts like to provide goody bags for guests to take home.

US customers:  We recommend you visit Beau-Coup for all your party favour needs.

New Zealand customers: Ask us to send you Organic Baby Info/Sample Packs for your guests.

We can also supply gorgeous soaps, seed favours, lip balms and other gifts for your goody bags.

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $100.00

A beautiful selection of favours from our stockists....

Global Soaps Bath Bombs Butter Bomb, one of life's little luxuries - silky smooth. Ylang Ylang, Vanilla, Jasmine, Rose, Mandarin, Sandalwood, Cocoa Butter $4.00 Buy Now	eco store Boxed Soap Enjoy the earthy scent of NZ manuka while the oatmeal gently exfoliates for a smooth silky skin. ecostore soaps are made from the purest vegetable oils enhanced with fine essential oils and other natural fragrances. No artificial colours, preservatives or perfumes mean our soaps are extremely gentle on the skin. Weight: 80g $3.50 each Buy Now	Tui Lip Balme Spearmint, Orange or Vanilla An effective Balme for the prevention and healing of cracked, chafed and dry lips. Contains a large amount of Vitamin E and can be used as a general purpose healer for cuts, scratches, burns, sunburn, chafing, cracked skin, grazes, rashes and scar tissue. Ingredients: Certified Organic NZ Beeswax, Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Vanilla Essential oil. $6.90 each Buy Now	Wild flower Party Favours Size: 80mm diameter seeded flower clips onto white backing card These can be planted directly into the soil or a pot, as the recycled paper decomposes. Planting instructions printed on back of card. $2.50 each mixed colour selection. Buy Now
Fair Trade Chocolate All Trade Aid chocolate is GE-free, gluten-free and delicious! Their dark (fondant) bars are dairy-free as well. 50g bar $2.50 each Buy Now	Celestial Seasonings Sweet Clementine Chamomile Tea contains 10 bags $3.20 each Buy Now	Long or short sleeved organic cotton bodysuit & fabric pens 100% organic cotton bodysuit. Bodysuits: 0-3 mths, 3-6 mths, 6-12 mths, Tee 12- 24 mths. Fabric pens are non-toxic, odour free and easy to use! Made to CE standards. Bodysuit & pkt 8 pens $30.00 Buy Now	Organic Baby Club Gift Membership This gift certificate entitles the recipient to six months membership of our Organic Baby Club, an organic onsie or tee, our info/sample pack and exclusive monthly discounts. Purchase a NZ Gift membership $36.00 for six months
Jute Shopping  Bag Say YES to Jute - Environmentally sustainable - Renewable resource - Biodegradable - Natural - Fairly Traded Large Jute Shopping bag (40 x 30 cm). Use instead of a Gift Basket or wrapping. $6.00 each Buy Now	Global Baby Soap Essential oil of lavender, mild and gentle. Weight: 65g $3.90 each Buy Now	Tui Bee Balme Tui Bee Balme is a highly effective and truly natural treatment for babies’ nappy rash. It acts both a barrier cream and as a soothing, healing skin care lotion. It is also a very handy healing and soothing cream for scratches, burns, sunburn, cracked skin, grazes, rashes and scar tissue. 12g trial size $6.48 each Buy Now 50g size $9.00 each Buy Now	pureborn organic bib 100% organic cotton $8.95 each Buy Now

			How to order: Use the shopping cart and pay by PayPal (easy and secure), or contact us with your order and address details. We will send you an email with internet banking details and total cost including postage or courier. Our feedback is excellent and if you have any queries you can call us on 04 9773534.